Will Bears pivot toward Commanders OC in head-coaching search?

With Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson seemingly losing interest in their head-coaching vacancy, the Chicago Bears may want to target another sharp OC.

In a piece published Monday, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer suggested the Bears' opening is no longer atop Johnson's wish list. While ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes Chicago will interview the Lions OC, he also thinks it'll interview Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury. 

"I expect Kingsbury to interview there," wrote Fowler in a piece published Thursday. "Observers believe experience will be a key factor in the hiring process, and Kingsbury has experience coupled with quarterback cachet."

Unlike Johnson, Kingsbury has head-coaching experience. He was Arizona Cardinals HC from 2019-22, going 28-37-1 in four seasons with the team. 

Kingsbury has likely improved his reputation this season, turning Commanders QB Jayden Daniels into an Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite. In his first 16 starts, Daniels is tied for eighth in the league in TD passes (25). 

More importantly, he has previously coached Bears rookie QB Caleb Williams, serving as an offensive analyst at USC in 2023. 

In his Wednesday news conference, Williams — the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft — praised Kingsbury. 

"I know what type of guy [Kingsbury] is," Williams said. "I know he loves football. I know he wants to win. He's a competitor. And so, in many different aspects that I was just speaking of, I've been around him. So I would say that being around him, knowing him, and asking him questions and things like that, obviously, if he was here, I'd probably have more to say. But I think he fits a bunch of those qualities, I said." 

In his Thursday news conference, Kingsbury said he wants to be an HC again "at some point" but indicated he's not in a hurry. 

With that in mind, don't be surprised if Kingsbury's name keeps popping up in the Bears' head-coaching search. They clearly want someone who can connect with Williams, who has tossed 19 touchdown passes and logged a below-average 45.5 QBR in 16 starts.